Proverbs 3:28

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about helping our neighbor:

Proverbs 3:28 (ESV)

Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

This proverb gives us a simple framework for doing good to others. There will come a time, according to Solomon, that we will be asked for something for our neighbor. It presupposes that our neighbor will ask us for something. When that happens, we are not to respond with delay. If it is at an inconvenient time, we are not to “reschedule” their need to better suit our schedules. If we have what they need we are not to negotiate what they need to better suit what we want to give. If we have it today we are to give it today. This proverb is a simple way to live our lives. Let us be ready to give to those who ask when they need what we happen to have.  We often find a number of excuses for NOT helping those who have a need.  We might think the homeless man on the corner is just going to waste the help we give them (money) se we don't help him/her.  Instead, we ought to find a way to help him/her that will assure our help is produtive.   Solomon is speaking of a heart issue in this proverb.   Just because the help our neighbor needs is not convienent for us, we are not to make an excuse.  The story in the Gospels about the Good Samaritan answers the question of both, "Who is my neighbor?" and "How do I really help my neighbor?"   Realize that when we are asked to help someone it is an "ordained" good work of God (Ephesians 2:10).   Don't miss the Divine appointment.  We ought not to use words and not deeds.